Every week, “The Patriot” checks all its campus-wide sources to bring you the best of what’s happening at JC.
School increases number of summer programs
In addition to the summer programs offered on campus in theatre and sports during the summer, a set of art and science classes will also be held from June 14 to August 13.
The change was made because “We’re always trying to grow the programs and our hope is that we can continue to attract more families to our campus during the summer, which will have an impact on future enrollment,” said Summer Programs Coordinator and Outreach Director Tony Martin.
According to Martin, “We’ve added a full gamete of art programs, courtesy of Mr. Baron’s inspiration. They are drawing, painting, photography, arts and crafts, ceramics, along with some writing and science courses.”
The programs will offer a “financial benefit to the school,” said Barker. “In economic times when tuition is such a challenge, any ways we can find to bring in a little more revenue so we can try to keep tuition as low as possible is a good thing.”
However, the benefits may take “three to four years for a particular program to take a hold in the community,” said Martin. “I know Mr. Baron is excited and motivated to push a number of these programs, as am I, so we’re hopeful.”
Barker added that the camps “expose the school to potential future students. “If kids come and have a great experience at basketball or ceramics camp, they may be more favorably disposed to coming here as students.”
Alumnus supports Holocaust program
The seniors are able to keep alive the memory of the Holocaust through the annual support of Andrew Klein, class of ’71, who funds the senior class trip to the Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Klein, the first Jewish student to attend JC, “had a really good experience at John Carroll,” fueling his desire to donate back.
The experience “has really affected many of the seniors,” said Klein. “I get the most beautiful letters of appreciation from the senior class.”
According to Klein, the program has important messages to present to students: “This teaches real lessons on how the survivors live their life today and how we should treat people that live a little differently than we do.”
The entire curriculum in regards to the Holocaust is different than those offered in other schools. Klein said, “The program is very unique because not only do they bring speakers in and read ‘Night [a novel by Holocaust survivor Ellie Wiesel],’ but [the program] includes real study. It’s really profound for a Catholic school to begin that dialogue.”
Klein acknowledges the work of the school as crucial to the success of the program and said, “As much as I reached out to them to do this, John Carroll reached out to the Jewish community and the survivors to grasp a better understanding of what occurred.”
Klein and the Klein Foundation have been crucial in continuing to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Holocaust. “We fund a program within Harford County so each public high school can have a Holocaust program with a stipend each year to use.”
However, the program at JC is “a model for other schools to set up to,” said Klein.
He added, “In my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined how successful it would become. It’s an incredible, remarkable opportunity.”
Kate Froehlich can be reached for comment at [email protected].